Controlling mechanism for compressors



Nov. zo, 1923.

F. DLHQLDswoRTH CONTROLLING MECHANISM FOR COMPRESSORS Filed-April 27 WMMHummm:

r im gPatented Nov. 20, 1923.' y

nir. stares FRED D. HOLDSWORTH, 0F CLAREMONT, NEW HAMPSHIRE, ASSIGNOR'T0 MACHINERYCOMPANY, A. CORPORATION 0F MASSACHUSETTS.

SULLIV con'rnomme Mauretanien V.ron eomranssons.

Application filed April 27, 1917.

To all whom t may concern Be it known tl :,.t I, FRED l). HoLDswon'rH, acitizen of the United States, residing at Claremont, in the county ofSullivan and State of New Hampshire, have invented certain new anduseful Improvements in Controlling Mechanisms for Compressors, of' whichthe following is a full, clear, and exact specification. l

My invention relates `to controlling mechanisms for compressors.

It has for its object to provide an improved controlling mechanism forcompressors or the like, whereby when the pressure developed thereby hasexceeded a predetermined limit the compressor is automatically unloadedand again loaded when the pressure has dropped below a predeterminedlimit. A further and more specific object of my invention is to provideimproved means for accomplishing the above objects, especially adaptedto use in connection with inletl valves of the suction type, the samehaving improved 'means whereby all delay in the seating of said valveswhen the compressor is to be loaded is effectually overcome.

In the-accompanying drawings, I have shown for purposes of illustrationone embodiment which my invention may assume in practice.

In fthese drawings,-

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a compressor system equipped with myimprovement, a portion of the compressor cylinder being broken awaytofacilitate illustration.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged view'of the regulator shown in partial section.

Fig. 3 is a further enlarged detail of the exhaust controlling Valvemechanism forl the regulator.

In this illustrative construction, I have shown a compressor 1 which maybeof an standard construction, equipped with a cy inder 2 and a piston 3and having air supplied to its cylinder through suction inlet valves 4and discharged therefrom through suitable discharge valves 5 and'througha pipe connection 6 leading to a receiver 7. As shown, the inlet valves4 are provided with stems 8 normally held in projected position blymeans of springs 9 in 'such a manner as to seat the valves. Disposedbeneath these valves are also cylinders 10 in which move pistons 11adapted to engage the stems ofthe valves and lift the same from ltheirserial no. 165,006.

is also provided with a cylinder 17 in which y is disposed a piston 18normally held in depressed posltlon by a coiled spring 19, the

.tension of which is adjustable by means of a threaded adjustingl nut 20threaded in the upper end ofthe cylinder. Upon the lower en of thlspiston 18 is also carried a valve or pin 21, herein having a conicalpoint,

adapted to be received in a suitable round orifice 22 in'vthe bottom ofthe cylinder, which is shown herein as located in a plane. below theinlet 15. As illustrated, this orifice-22 opens into a lower chamber 23havpgcommunication with the outlet 16.

1th1n this chamber 23 is also carried a .threaded plugl 24 havingthreaded upon its reduced upper end 25 a valve housing 26 provided wlthone or more lateral orifices 27 communicating with the outlet 16 and acentral orifice 28 opening under the orifice 22. Within this valvehousing 26 is also carried a valve 29, preferably 1n the form of a plateor discfnormally held in elevated position by means of a coiled spring30 housed withinl an axial chamber 31 in the plug 24. As shown, thisvalve 29 is also provided with a leakage orifice 32 therein adapted topermit the leakage of pressure fluid through the same and through thespring chamber 31 to an outlet passage 33 disposed coaxiall with theplug 24 and *communicating with the atmosphere.

In the operation of my improved regulator, it will be noted that whenthe pressure 1n the receiver 7 rises above a predetermined .point, thesame will act upon the bottom of the piston 18 in such a manner as toraise the same from the position shown `in Fig. 2. As this piston-movesupward,

the communication to the atmosp piston. Thus, a supply of pressure'fluid will be free to pass from the receiver through the inlet, 15 andthe orifice 22 1n such a manner as to depress the disc valve 29 againstthe action of its spring 30 and permit the pressure fluid to fiowthrough the orifice 28 and out fices 2T in the valve housing 26 to theoutlet 16, through which it passes to the pi e connection 12 in order toact on the p ungers 11 and raise the suction valves 4 from their seatsto unload the compressor. Obviously, so long as the pressure in thereceiver' exceeds a predetermined amount, the same will thus act uponthe suction valves and hold the same from their seats in such a manneras to hold the compressor unloaded. lt will be noted, however, that dueto the leakage port 32 in the disc valve 29, a certain amount of airbeneath the plungers 11 will be escaping all the time through thisleakage 'ort and the passage 33 to the atmosphere. Vlien, moreover, thepressure in the receiver drops below a predetcrmined limit, the piston18 will be lowered due to the action of its spring 19, in such a manneras to close the orifice 22 and thus sluit off' the supply of air to thevalve pistonsll. After this occurs, there will he a short period ofleakage through theleakagc port 32 inthe valve 29 before the pressure inthe pipe connection 16, 12 etc. becomes less than the pressure of the .sring 30. When, however, this pressure liras been depleted through thisleakage, and the spring becomes sufficiently )owerful to throw the valve29, it will lift this valve to the position shown in Fig. 3 and by sodoing open the pipe connections 12 to the atmosphere through the ports27 and 33. As a result, the air in the pipe connections 12 and beneaththe plunger 11 will be exhausted therefrom with a rush and the valves 4will be seated very quickly. 0hviously, this sequence of operation willbe repeated in accordance with variations in pressure in the receiver 7.

ln the use ofmy improved construction, it will be noted that due fo theprovision of my improved means, whereby a certain amount of leakage ispermitted from beneath the suction valve operating pistons and theexhaust controlling valve 1s then thrown in such a manner as toy oplenwide ere, the suction valves are caused to close with a decidedly quickmovement as distinguished from any such delayed closing movement of thesame as would result`in a loss of efficienc of the compressor. lt willalso be note that an exceedingly simple and cheap construction isproduced, it only` being necessary to machine a single cylinder. Itdesired, even this cylinder, under certain conditions, may be roughlybored, an expansible cupped washer 34 then belng suitably clampedthrough the lateral orion a reduced end 35 of the piston 18, as by meansof a washer, 36 and bolt 37. rEhesc and other advantages of myimprovement will, however, be apparent to those skilled in the art. f

While l have in this application specifically described one embodimentwhich my-inven tion may assume in practice, it is of course to beunderstood that the invention may be modified and embodied in variousother forms Without departing from its spirit, it being my intention toinclude all such modifications` within the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. The combination with a compressor, of a fluid operated unloadingmechanism, and controlling means therefor' for varying the exhausttherefrom without interrupting it.

2. The combination with a compressor, of a fluid operated unloadingmechanism, and. controlling means therefore for automatically varyingthe exhaust therefrom without interrupting it. f

3. The combination with a'comprcssor, of a fluid operated unloadingmechanism, and controlling means therefor for increasing the exhausttherefrom during the loading of the compressor Without interrupting it.

4. The combination with a compressor having a discharge pipe and fluidpressure operated unloading mechanism, of a comressor cont-rolling meanscomprising av conuit connecting said pipe and said unloading mechanism,and means in said conduit for controlling a flow of pressure fluid tosaid unloading mechanism, for maintaining the pressure of the fiuid insaid mechanism substantially constant during the unloading of thecompressor, and for providing an aecelerated uninterrupted exhaust forthe pressure fluid from .said mechanism when said compressor is to beloaded.

5. The combination with a compressor having a discharge pipe and fluidpressure operated unloading nuclia-nisni, of' a compressor controllingmeans comprising a conduit connecting said pipe and said unloadinglnechanisn1,'aml means in said conduit for controlling a fiow ofpressure fiuid to said unloading mechanism, for permitting a slowexhausting of pressure fluid from said mechanism during the unloading ofthe compressor, and for automatically accelerating the exhaust of thepressure fluid, without interrupting the same, from said mechanism whensaid compressor is to be loaded.

6. ln a compressor controlling mechanism, in combination, a compressor,one or more inlet valves therefoiya receiver connected to saidcompressor, pressure actuated mechanism for actuating said inlet valves,a fluid connection between said receiver and said mechanism, a pressurecontrolled valve Illi anism, in combination, a compressor, one or moreinlet valves therefor, .a receiver connected to said compressor,pressure actuated mechanism for actuating said -inlet valves, a fluidconnection between said receiver and said mechanism, a pressurecontrolled valve controlling said connection, and a cooperating valvebetween said valve and said inlet valve actuating mechanism operativeupon opening of. said first mentioned controlling valve to provide asmall exhaust connection in communication with saidinlet valve acvtuating mechanism, and after closin of said first mentioned valve toopen a supp emental exhaust connection which remains open until saidcontrolling valve again reo ens.

8. In a compressor contro ling mech- 'auism, in combination, acompressor, one or more inlet valves therefor, a receiver 'connected tosaid compressor, pressure actuated mechanism for actuating said inletvalves, a fluid connection bet-Ween said'receiver and said mechanism, apressure controlled valve controlling said connection, and valve meansbetween'said valve and said inlet valve actuating mechanism Comprising acooperating valve operative upon opening of said first mentionedcontrolling valve to provide a small connection with the exhaust incommunication with said inlet valve actuating mechanism, and uponclosing of said first mentioned valve to open a supplemental exhaustconnection while said initial connection remains open.

9. In a compressor controlling mechanism in combination, a compressor,one or more inlet valves therefor, a receiver connected to saidcompressor, pressureactuated mechanism for actuating said inlet valves,

a Huid connection between said receiver and said inlet valve actuatingmechanism, a pressure controlled valve controllin said connection, anexhaust port in said connection, and auxiliary valve l means operativein opposite' positions to provide a limited connection with said exhaustor a relatively large connection with said exhaust and movable from oneposition to the other without interrupting communication between saidfmechanismand the exhaust. y Y

10. A controlling valve for use in compressor u nloadin mechanismscomprising a casing, a porte partition therein, a connection forcompressor discharge pressure tion, and means including a second inletvalves,

o n one side of said partition and a connec, tion -for compressorunloading mechanism actuating means on the other side of `saidpartition, a pressure controlled valve ony one side of the'paititioncontrolling the port in said partition, an exhaust port on' the oppositeside of said partition, a 'cooperating valve operative in oppositepositions to scat over said exhaust port and provide a limited exhausttherethrough or to uncover said exhaust port entirely, and a portcommunieating with the connection for unloadingl vmechanism actuatingmeans across which said valve moves and of greater length than thelength of said valve in the direction of its movement.

11. In a compressor controlling mechamsm, in combination, a compressor,one or more inlet valves therefor, a receiver connected to saidcompressor, a connection between said receiver and said inlet valves,pressure actuated plunger mechanism disposed in said connection foractuating said inlet valves, a valve controlling said connecvalveconstantly communicating with the atmosphere operative after the closureof said first named controlling valve and a predetermined drop inpressure in a portion of said connection to provide an acceleratedexhaust of the air beneath 'said plunger mechanism without interruptingsaid exhaust.

l2. In a compressor controlling mechai nism, in combination, acompressor, oneor more inlet valves therefor, a receiver connected tosaid compressor, a connection between said receiver and said inletvalves, pressure actuated plunger mechanism disposed in said connectionfor actuating said a valve controlling said connection and responsive tovariations in receiver pressure, and means including a cooperating.valve in said connection opened by receiver pressure after opening ofsaid Hrst mentioned controlling valve and operable after the closurethereof to provide an accelerated exhaust of the air beneath saidplunger without interrupting said exhaust.

A13. In a compressor controlling mechanism, in combination, acompressor, one or more inlet valves therefor, a receiver connected tosaid compressor, a connection between said receiver and said valves,pressure actuated plunger mechanism disposed in said connection foractuating said inlet valves, a valve controlling said connection andresponsive to variations in receiver pressure, and a cooperating valvein said connection having an opening therein constantly communicatingwith the atmosphere, said valve being opened by receiver pressure afteropening of said first mentioned .controlling tion of said connection toprovi e acceler-l in said portion ated exhaust of the fluid exhausttherewithout interruption of the from.

14. ln a compressor controlling mechanism, in combination, a compressor,one or more inlet valves thereforga receiver connected to saidcompressor, a connection bctween said receiver and said valves, pressureactuated valve actuating mechanism disposed in said connection, a valvemechanism normally closing said connection and responsive to variationsin receiver pressure; and a cooperating valve mechanism re*- sponsive toreceiver pressure upon opening ot' said first mentioned controlling`valve mechanism and operable after closure thereof and a predetermineddrop in pressure in a portion of said connnection leadin v to saidactuating mechanism to open a ,ree communication longitudinally of Saidvalve between said portion and the atmosphere.

l5. In a compressor controlling mechanism, in combination, a compressor,one or more inlet valves therefor, a receiver connected to saidcon'iprcssor, a connection between said receiver and said valves,pressure actuated valve actuating mechanism disposed in said connection,a valve mechanism normally closing said connection and responsive tovariations in receiver pressure, and a cooperating valve mechanismresponsive to receiver pressure upon opening of said first mentionedcontrolling valve mechanism and formino a constant communication withthe atniosp 1ere operative after closure of said first mentionedcontrolling valve mechanism and a predetermined drop in pressure in aportion of said connection lead'- ing to said actuating mechanism foropening, without interrutiono the exhaust, an enlarged exhaust or theair within said portion. A

16.. In a compressor controlling mechanism, in combination, acompressor, one or more inlet valves therefor, a receiver connected tosaid coml'ircssor, a connection bctween said receiver and said valves,pressure actuated mechanism disposed in said connection for actuatingsaid inlet valves, means forming a port in said connection, a valveresponsive to variations in receiver pressure controlling communicationthrough said port, and a cooperating valve mechanism disposed on theopposite side or said port and responsive to receiver pressure uponopening of said second mentioned valve and to a drop in pressure whenthe latter is closed for e'ecting a varied but uninterruptedcommunication between said inlet valve actuating mechanism and theatmosphere.

aar/'aseo 17. lin a compressor controlling mechamsm, in combination, acompressor, one or more inlet valves therefor, a receiver connected tosaid compressor, a connection between said receiver and said valves,pressure actuated mechanism dis )osed in said connection for actuatingsai inlet valves. means forming a port in said connection, a'. valveresponsive to variations in receiver pressure controllingcorrununicat'ion through said port, anda cooperating valve mechanlsmforming a constant communication with the atmosphere and disposed on theopposite side of said port and responsive to receiver pressurepuponopening of said first mentioned controllin valve and operable upon apredetermine drop in pressure in a portion of said connection afterclosure of said first named controlling valve to open, without closureof said first mentioned communication, free communication between saidinlet valve actuating mechanism and the atmosphere.

18. In a compressor regulator, in combina- I tion, a valve casing havinga plurality of chambers therein, one provided with an inletand the otherprovided with an outlet, a valve reciprocable in one of said chambersand having a conical end, means forming a division wall between saidchambers and having a )ort therein in which the conical end or saitvalve is normally seated, a ported valve member coaxial with said lastinentioiied valve located on the opposite side oi the division wall andin the other of said chambers having constant communication with theatmosphere, and means formino an enlarged port normally closed by saidlast mentioned valve and providing a communication between said chamberand the atmossplliere in a predetermined position of said va ve.

19. A compressor regulator 'having a' chamber adapted for communicationwith a compressor, a valve to control communication between thecompressor and said chamber, and a separate, independently-operablerelief valve coinplelnentary to said chamber and constructed andarranged to remain open until the first valve has opened a predetermineddistance and to then be closed to practically close communication withthe atmosphere and. also constructed and arranged to remain closed untilthe pressure is reduced to a predetermined extent and to then promptlyopen and afford free oominunication to the atmosphere, whereby positiveaction of the regulator is insured.

In testimon whereof l aiiixm si atm-e.

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